HAPPY EASTER

Dear Friends,

Good Morning!


Spring is in the air and with it comes Easter Sunday!HAPPY EASTER TO ONE AND ALL!
Easter marks the end of forty days of lenten sacrifice.It is the best Sunday for the christians as it is a celebration of new life.Easter,the feast of the resurrection of Jesus gives mankind confident hope for the future.The bottom line is the promise it holds that all humans will be raised from death and will live an eternal life.Jesu's resurrection is seen as the vindication of all that eh saidand the ultimate sign of victory over sin and death.It is the victory of truth.In the end,Jesu's resurrection not only reiterates the Good News he proclaimed but establishes that he himself was the Good News.

Christians make elaborate preparations to celebrate Easter which is the oldest of all Christian festivals.The festival marks the transition from night to day and from death to life.It symbolises new beginnings and joy of the harvest season.
On Good Friday,Jesus Christ was executed by crucifixion.His body was removed from the cross and buried in acave near Mount Cavalry,just outside Jeruselam.On Sunday morning,the tomb was found empty neither the enemies nor the friends of Jesus could find his body.Resurrection became a reality when became a reality when Jesus was sighted in several public places at different times,with his living body for people to s ee and touch.People therefore accepted,Jesus as the true Son of God and believed in His Resurrection.


Ushered in after the forty day austere and penitential season of Lent,the festival marked with midnight church service followed by solemn Eucharistic celebrations.Pascal commemoration in many parishes is marked with candle light processions and baptism of new born children.The devotees are seen busy thronging local markets for purchasing sweets and other goods for the prayers.
Since the resurrection of Jesus about 2000 years ago,Easter continues to bring hope to humanity and even today to our broken world that is continuously threatened by vilolence,inequality,injustice,terrorism and instability.The hope of eternal life as promised byEaster exposesall theories of fear,evil,destruction and death.
Easter brings joy and areason to celebrate.Easter gives areason to live,a reason to repent and to transform.Easter gives a reason to believe in common brotherhood,common humanity and in one God.
There is no greater truth than the Resurrection of Christ which continues to inspire and enlighten.And to the one who discovers the truth,as Jesus himself would say,,''The truth will set you free''.

Our days are cramped with our own needs and ambitions.there is neither the time or nor the inclination to look beyond our selfish restraints.Who wants to see the pain and feel for the downtrodden?

Easter marks the end of the period of lent,and the fast is broken on this day.Before breaking the fast,Christians go to the church for the Holy Communion.After this,they greet each other,wishing each other,Happy Easter.The evening is set aside for get-togethers of family and friends and dinner is a large elaborate feast.The gifting of the chocolate crusted Easter Egg to children at home is a ritual that is widely followed.








There are several symbols associated with Christian Easter Sunday such as eggs,rabbits,chicks,lilies,sunrise service and new outfits.It is believed that Easter Eggs represent the beginning of life while rabbits and chicks represent the rebirth of Jesus Christ.Besides,Easter Lily[the white lily] is asymbol of the Resurrection Of Jesus Christ.The Easter Bunny has its origin in the pre Christian fertility lore.The hare and the rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the spring season.The first edible Easter Bunnies were made in GERMANY DURING THE EARLY 1800Ss of pastryand sugar.''The best portion of man's life is his little,nameless unremembered acts of kindness and love''.

William Shakespeare
When charity becomes the yardstick that rules our lives,we will becomeless egocentric and more giving,we will be able totake time out,to talk to each other,to lend the lonely a ear,the needy a hand,we will be able to give from our hoarding and not merely give as a perfunctory gesture and in doing so,we will realise the power in acompliment,the magic of a smile and the profound joy giving brings.
Our time on earth is just a blink of an eye,but the consequences of it will last forever........So,let us give and live.
Wishing you once again,a wonderful and prosperous Easter,

It's Anu signing off......................

During this Easter season,let us all join together and ask the Risen Lord to bring joy and Peace to our lives!May the Risen Lord encourage us to speak boldly against injustice,corruption and destruction of man and nature.
Wishing you hope for future and a beautiful day ahead,
Reminding you,Anu loves you dil se,
     Sasneham,
              Anu